The Haunted Mansion - HOW IT WORKS

On the 2020 season finale of How It Works we'll talk about some of the iconic effects found inside the home of 999 happy haunts, but I hear they have room for a thousand!
Hi, welcome to Amusement Labs. Here I'll show you the awe inspiring engineering behind your favorite rides with information and footage you won't find anywhere else.
Let me show you around:
⚙️⚙️Virtual Grand Tour⚙️⚙️
bit.ly/ALabsTour
⚙️⚙️Support⚙️⚙️
bit.ly/ALabsPatreon
⚙️⚙️Follow Me⚙️⚙️
/ coaster_labs
/ amusementlabs
#Halloween #Disneyland #Ghosts

[@AmusementLabs]

Thank you everyone for welcoming me onto your screens and supporting the 2020 season of How It Works and I can't wait to show you what I have in store for 2021. I'll be taking November and December off for school and finals, but will be back in January! In the meantime: www.patreon.com/AmusementLabs

[@liamb.9964]

Keep up the great work! I love being part of channels that are less well known, it makes me feel more connected to them.

[@fallentenno2297]

hey man i came from art of engineering and you made a soild video !

[@NorthGx]

What is the name of the music at the end?

[@tylermanuel602]

Please do Pirates of the Caribbean I've always wondered how they made that. Love the content by the way

[@pault5557]

AWESOME AS USUAL!

[@melaniesmith1313]

Well done. I was a castmember in the 1980s. During a celebration for castmembers, a number of rides had walktroughs. My late husband and I waltzed alongside the partygoing ghosts. Magical.

[@jasminefrantz8606]

I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful memory.

[@sgtredrhino2009]

That's cool, u were a castmember as in you were like Cinderella or something right? That's pretty cool the parks do stuff like that

[@idk-cq7pc]

@@sgtredrhino2009 I think all workers are referred to as cast members. Not sure though. Also, sorry for your loss.

[@pwmmc]

So sorry for your loss; sending peace, prayers & light your way... 😢

[@stoneymc4203]

WOW! what a memory ❤

[@toonron]

I worked on Mansion in California in 1990 and I can confirm there is a skrim in between the mirror and the front of the endless hallway

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

Who says people don't like tattle tales? Anymore secrets about the hallway or ride?

[@AmusementLabs]

Figures. The reflection doesn't go down all the way. So is it just an image of a hallway?

[@lilfuzzy5908]

@@AmusementLabs the skrim would be put in place to obscure the reflection of riders. The end “is” a mirror, just reflecting the hallway you are currently looking down...

[@AmusementLabs]

@@lilfuzzy5908 ah, that makes sense.

[@liamb.9964]

Thanks for the fact!

[@QueArres]

Former WDW cast member here, and Haunted Mansion enthusiast (I did a history report on how the effects work for one of my college classes). I'm a little disappointed that you didn't mention the use of the hollow mask illusion (the busts that always seem to be looking at you). Similarly, the Stretching Room effect was so popular that, even though the WDW version didn't need an elevator, they reversed the effect so it could be included (i.e. the ceiling moves up instead of the floor moving down). Also, the Madame Leota effect is created with a unique back projection: the projector is inside the head. This is how they are able to make her crystal ball float without needing to worry about the projection becoming unaligned.

[@thetheatreorgan168]

The Paris Phantom manor also has a Stretching room elevator, however it is semi-useless, the only purpose i seem to get from it is so the house can be a freestanding structure, like the Disneyland one. The Paris one i remember hearing, combines a moving floor and ceiling, so the room stretches in both ways

[@MrMywildside]

It should be noted that the voice behind Madame Leota is that of Eleanor Audrey. You might recognize her voice. She did the voice of Lady Tremaine; the wicked stepmother in Cinderella, and of Maleficent; the evil fairy, er witch in Sleeping Beauty.

[@rbsk225]

Hi I was just curious if you could do a future video on how they change the haunted mansion to the night mare before Christmas overlay and back again since it’s interesting how they change the show scenes by replacing animatronics or adding new ones and the clever new different each year the gingerbread house in the ballroom scene then how they manage to change it all back to normal

[@theta2170]

I'd find this interesting too. It's hard to understand how they just swap out figures, or add new ones, and then apply a whole new show control routine. Seems like a huge amount of work. How do they make sure it all goes back again after Christmas? Are there random mounts left around the attraction for figures only used at Christmas?

[@liamb.9964]

I would also love to see a video on this!

[@smallartist4945]

@@theta2170 On Disney+ there’s a small documentary I believe that shows how they do some of the transformations. And I just found one KZbin too. I mean they may have it like saved to where they’re able to change out the audio and animatronics you know??? Like during Halloween time for example Maters Junkyard Jamboree’s audio is different so maybe it’s something like that

[@WalnutBun]

When the ride is closed at night, they go in through the normal service entrance and change things. Same to change it back. "Replaced" animatronics likely just have their clothing and routine changed, with the underlying skeleton remaining the same. I've never been around Christmas, so I have no idea what kind of animatronics they add, but if they're simple ones (just moving a small portion of their body) or only do things that can be accomplished with just a projector (moving eyes), then they're likely just placed where they need to be and removed afterwards. If they're more complicated, though, they'd have to have a mount to support and stabilize them. I'm not familiar with animatronics, though, so I'm not sure if a portable mount (i.e. a slab of concrete or other heavy material) would be possible, or if HM just has a bunch of animatronic mounting points sitting unused for most of the year. My money is on either the animatronics being simple enough that they don't need a mount, or just having portable mounts, though, since spending time and money installing mounts that go unused a majority of the time doesn't seem like something Disney would do.

[@changartguy99]

Great video. First went in 1976 and the singing busts freaked me out as so real till I visited Clifton Hill where they have all these amusement museums. One outside display used the projection on a blank bust and I saw how it was done.

[@AmusementLabs]

It's amazing what level of detail out brains can fill in without us realizing.

[@joeschmo5171]

I used to work at the mansion in the CA park. Been through that thing inside and out. Even crawled up into the crow’s nest at the top of the building. Had to access it by crawling on a wooden structure directly over one of the elevators above the hanging skeleton. Those were fun times. Got to see things most people will never see. I only wish digital cameras were more available back then. There would be picture all over the internet if I had the access to that technology in those days.

[@uncaboat2399]

What a lot of people don't realize is that in the Ballroom Scene, the ghosts are dancing backwards because of the mirror effect. The result is that the ladies are leading the men, uncharacteristically ahead of their time. There was also an incident where some moron hid a BB pistol on his person, and shot at the ghosts, leaving a crack in the glass. Disney would have to take the building apart to replace the glass, so they just disguised the crack as a spiderweb.

[@rainbowrunner1550]

Yeah, last time I rode Haunted Mansion (during Nightmare Before Christmas Season), I found the spider on the glass. Disney did well at covering up the fracture.

[@teganbigone2366]

Those aren't ladies, they are men in drag.

[@melissapetricini6706]

I’m more shocked at how he managed to get a weapon like that inside the park. How long ago was this?

[@uncaboat2399]

@@melissapetricini6706 I had to research this, looks like it was in 1974, *long* before 9-11 when the most draconian security was put into place.

[@mykalimba]

A reflection wouldn't change who's _leading_ a dance, it would only change the direction of the rotation (counter-clockwise vs clockwise). If you see a lady leading in the reflection, it's because the lady is leading in the actual unreflected mechanism.

[@stephenkostiak3929]

My favorite version of The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park in California is The Nightmare Before Christmas overlay every Halloween to Christmas each year.

[@m3talentagency680]

I'll never forget the first time I rode this marvelous and flawless attraction, because I feel the same way every time I've gone back to a Disney park. They should sell that wallpaper. I'd buy a lot of it! Great video!

[@ArtBellJr]

I forgot where I saw it but you can actually buy the wallpaper. It's a Victorian form and I saw it somewhere on YT.

[@dinodumbo1365]

YEEESSSS. FINALLY THE HAUNTED MANSION 🔥🔥

[@scottperman4292]

Years and years ago during a late night rehearsal, 2 of my friends and I walked through the mansion at the magic kingdom in Florida. The endless hallway does indeed contain a scrim between the candle stick and the full mirror. Can confirm. Man I love this attraction! Great video!

[@protoborg]

Prove it.

[@misein2466]

While I am by no means an Imagineer, I have worked with them on special contracts through my contract work with LucasFilm. I am allowed to tell you that they officially updated the Ballroom Trick years ago. See, what it is now is two large floor-to-ceiling mirrors. The one we, the riders, look out on is a two-way mirror. Above us is a projector that reflects off of the mirror opposite us. Since light refracts off it, it ends up bouncing off the two-way mirror we look out of and the two reflecting and refracting beams of light end up combining in the middle to create a genuine hologram. It was expensive. As in, it's cheaper to stay at the Ritz Carlton Hotel for a week then to replace them since they have to be made and installed all in one piece. Not to mention they have to be modified to withstand their own weight, not blur, and treated with a chemical process that makes them difficult to fog up. They also have to be resistant to damage because riders will do stupid stuff like throw a camera at it. But yeah, they actually updated the trick sometime ago. Now, instead of an illusion of a hologram, it's an actual hologram. It's expensive as sin and not easily accomplished, but this is Disney, after all. I'm privy to many things I can't talk about, like the voice modulators for Galaxies Edge. I can't tell you details, but it was originally technology that the military uses. Let's just say that Disney's R&D Department has contracts in other fields besides entertainment.

[@Belangerz]

I can already tell this video is gonna be a banger

[@jasminejohnston6393]

The Pepper’s Ghost effect is one of my favourite optical illusions

[@SteveCarras]

👨👨

[@ThemePark_Nerdo]

I’d love to see a video detailing how Spaceship Earth works. It has a very complicated ride system that most people don’t know about.

[@akondition]

So proud to watch you grow so quickly! You deserve every last view! Here's to another great year for the channel!

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

Thanks for the video, always LOVE these how they work videos. The sign says at the Haunted Mansion, "999 Happy Haunts, but there's always room for one more!" Well now there 28,000 dead jobs and growing daily at Disneyland so they might be a bit over packed now.

[@ParkMind]

Beware of the hitchhiking ghosts

[@JennyGDelp]

Love it!!! I never heard the animatronic machinery in the ballroom as a kid. It’s so loud now, I don’t know how I missed it other than being immersed in the magic it creates.

[@TheKimbin1985]

Thankyou for these amazing "How It Works" videos. I think the how it works of theme park rides interests me more than the actual rides themselves. it really spotlights the incredible work that goes on behind the scenes to make everything work, which you usually miss unless you are told. would love to know more about how the animatronics work right from the original air pressured ones right through to the new (and possibly future animatronic technology)

[@BoundyMan]

One time at Disney World in Florida I rode the Haunted Mansion and this guy kept on taking pictures with flash. When we entered the Madem Leota room I get to briefly see the strings making it look like the ball is floating in the air.

[@BoundyMan]

@Cali Girl In Costa You said it

[@uncaboat2399]

Yah I hate when people do things like that. They should confiscate flash cameras at the front gate the way they do guns, knives and outside food.

[@Micwong025]

This is such a great, informative series. Well done and keep up the good work!

[@kennarajora6532]

How does this only have 60,000 views? This man definitely deserves more subs.

[@andreapatane4204]

This is interesting, because plenty of curious folks are interested in knowing how plenty of theme park rides work. PLEASE keep them coming! If you don't mind, please upload Casey Junior Circus Train which is an attraction located in Disneyland (Anaheim, CA) when you get a chance.

[@milesbrown2261]

Iconic ride. I wish disney would do more rides based on original concepts instead of ip's

[@LisaMarli]

I've known for years how this was all done. It doesn't stop me from enjoying the magic. It is a well done ride. Hurry back.

[@BreakingYTown]

Thank you for your videos. I am always impressed with you explanations of how things work

[@drumofq9368]

yayyy i’m excited!

[@ogjk]

My favorite Disney ride! one of Walts final touches before his passing!

[@ROYGBIVinc]

Yes!! I was waiting for this one. Great vids

[@jameswest8280]

Disney was way ahead of his time, he set the bar for all other theme parks.

[@thefuneraldirectorsdaughter84]

Been on the Haunted Mansion in Florida and the Phantom Manor a couple of times in Paris. My absolute favourite! 🖤💜🖤

[@KuyaVictor]

Fantastic as always! I’d love to see how the new Beauty and the Beast ride works in an upcoming video, please!

[@josejalaeno73]

Just found this channel and I’m really enjoying it so far! I’m not a fan of “The Mouse” for their shady business practices and what not, but there’s no denying that the so called “imagineers” are complete geniuses. Really fascinating to have a deep look at how they pulled all of this off, especially in the 1960’s when it was originally built.

[@princessmarlena1359]

Agreed!

[@DavesAdventures]

Hello there Amusement Lab's that is really interesting how haunted mansion works at Disneyland Anaheim, unfortunately i have never experienced any of the attractions at any Disney Parks, ive hit the like button for you

[@carterspencer1787]

Can’t wait

[@ucitymetalhead]

I really enjoy your stuff i love learning the ways things work.

[@michaeltaylor1603]

cool! You put one of my favorite rides video up on Halloween!

[@nightmaresanyone]

Whoa!!! In 2 years, you have accumulated almost 50,000 new Subscribers!!! 🎉🍾🎊Congrats!! Richard

[@rickkinki4624]

I always loved the hitchhiking ghosts best!

[@gbird.]

Been waiting for this:)))

[@enzmondo]

A classic attraction

[@sissi1792]

If you want to see the low budget, or at least outdated version of the haunted mansion, you should visit Phantasialand near Cologne, Germany. There’s a ride called „Geisterriksha“ for which the copied many of the effects of the haunted mansion.

[@PrincessSerena91]

I'm amazed by how some of these simple tricks make such an old ride so great :) I was always curious what made the ghosts appear on the mirror

[@ojll3917]

let me introduce to you the amazing peppers ghost

[@JC-tf2jb]

The original only has 1 giant sheet of glass for ball room, wdw has 8 different panes. The sheet of glass is so expensive that in the 70’s when someone shot it; it could not be replaced. So the put a spider over the bullet hole. Wdw wanted a spider too, theirs is just for decoration.

[@ninamc6116]

I love the Haunted Mansion. So clever

[@119andrade]

Dude you are amazing 👏 you hit every nail correct

[@Graupella]

I saw what I believe is supposed to be a bullet hole in the ballroom glass?! I’ve never been able to see it before, cool!

[@IMChrisThom]

So it seems that the WDW version does not have an elevator in the stretching room The reason I'm saying this is that with the pandemic the ride has been set up where you just walk straight from the entrance door, through the Gracey portrait & stretching rooms to the Doom Buggies. No ascending or descending.

[@AmusementLabs]

Yes, the wdw version is just for look, it serves no function and the ceiling just moved up and away from you.

[@dkoch2]

Universal loves screen rides while Disney loves rear projection

[@jodyguilbeaux8225]

i took my wife and kids there in the 1980s, they loved it. The haunted mansion was exciting and as i am watching the effects i am thinking, how in the h/// did they do that ? My little girl got scared when the walls started closing in and i cant say i blame her. we enjoyed it all.

[@user-il5xe6ug8k]

There's a Hidden Mickey in dishes in the ballroom. On TikTok are people who do LIVES at Disneyland and Disney world.

[@ronduff4325]

My favorite ! Rode it in 1979 in California .

[@Buckeye2043]

They knocked this out of the park. I’ve never rode the Disneyland version but have rode the wdw version countless times. Easily my favorite dark ride ever

[@SteveCarras]

I’ve lived the mansion. I live in west riverside county by Anaheim where the 1969 original is but nice been to abs preferred Orlando’s The Magic Kingdom Disney world 1971 version 😂

[@fionagibson3314]

What is in the haunted mansion facade, besides the stretching room which takes you the ride that is on the other side of ths train tracks in Disney at Anaheim?

[@ciscoduncan838]

Great video. Thank you. 👍🏾✌🏾💯

[@alayssia1783]

I NEVER KNEW THE STRETCHING ROOM WAS AN ELEVATOR AND IV’E RIDDEN IT A MILLION TIMES WTH?!?

[@LolaliciousSmiley]

I hate the screen ghosts. The reflections were much better.

[@whoisharo4689]

I remember seeing a helicopter view of the ride. Its basicslly a facade of a mansion with a huge warehouse building behind it.

[@AmusementLabs]

Yup

[@RonRicho]

Wonderfully presented video. Bravo!

[@gavin9068]

I love your videos!

[@cashbelcher5869]

What a great season of videos! I only have one question: where is the projector for madame leota located in the room?

[@TheSockMonkeyGuy]

The projector for the original head (the one fixed on the table) was located in front of the head, in a piece of furniture if I am not mistaken. If I understand correctly, the projector for the current (floating) head is located inside the head itself and projects the face as a rear projection.

[@drewburesh386]

My favorite ride!

[@rachelhansen2417]

So I figured out the secret behind the hitchhiking ghosts, then had to come here to verify if I was right because Google wouldn’t tell me 😂 Thanks!

[@stevenhulbert7540]

The Haunted Hallway isn't a scrim, it's glass as in the Pepper's ghost, just like in the grand ballroom.

[@Kirkklan]

Fun fact: At some point in time some idiot chucked a rock at one bit of glass (I think) near the end of the ballroom scene, making a crack in the glass. Since it was expensive to replace the glass, they just put a spider over the hole the rock made, making it look like a spider-web over some shattered bit of glass.

[@AmusementLabs]

Yup, I thin kit was a BB or something back when there was no security check. I think they ended up trying to plug the crack to keep the fracture from propagating. Though I think now may be the time to actually replace the glass with large sheets of the Musion film and bring in some new animations. But may that would be better for WDW where the ride is less of a historical landmark.

[@mutilatedpopsicles]

​​@@AmusementLabs Yep, someone smuggled a BB or a 22. pistol in the 70s.

[@alimatorstudios2692]

Amusement labs you should make a ride trough Audio Podcast thing where you point out different stuff while someone rides the ride

[@AmusementLabs]

Ah, that's a good idea!

[@AmusementLabs]

Although, the one issue I think might pop up is that rides usually have their audio on really high that it might be hard to hear.

[@alimatorstudios2692]

@@AmusementLabs thats definitely true, but it would be cool to hear how Haunted mansion was made while riding it!

[@BlueyDog]

👏🏼 👏🏼

[@jasminejohnston6393]

When The Haunted Mansion breaks down, guests in the stretching room get to experience it in reverse!

[@hollykruse113]

I have been with a wheelchair bound family friend and we went back up the stretching room after riding the ride.

[@J.P.Robles]

If this were Minecraft you would need a lot of pistons, everything red stone, mine carts, mine tracks, and a whole lot of time on your hands

[@KayKnowsItAll]

5:53 Hey! Omg did you know the guy in the middle working on the HatBox Ghost is actually my 2nd cousin! I’m really glad he got to work on a project like that :)

[@mikeohawk95]

6:12 this was done on Washington DC theatre roommrobust heads as effect when talking about natural history, was done in parliament in uk,australia,etc

[@unrellated]

I heard that an early version of the ballroom dancer ghosts would have had them in the middle of a V shaped arrangement of two mirrors, to make it look like more. But there was a problem with the sightlines, so they just built a second turntable.

[@billthewhovian]

I know it was a year ago but just thought I'd say, that I heard the same thing it was during the early stages of the planning back when Walt was still alive. I believe they discovered it when they built a model mock up. I might be wrong about that but I'm sure it was during that stage of planning.

[@Monopolizador]

Excelente

[@backpackdude1]

What about the mirrors with the ghost in the picture along with rider?

[@jg_in_hd]

Maybe a short video on how wave pools work.

[@Quit3Cut3]

Grimm grinning ghosts, come out to socialize 👻

[@daehawk9585]

Never rode it but its all so cool.

[@trevorrandom]

I want that wallpaper! 💀👀

[@MsDisneylandlover]

So mad it want be working march 31st when i go 4 my bday. This is my favorite ride. ❤it will be down for a yr. Bc they are adding a gift store. And adding something to the outside of the line smh .#DisneyDiva ❤

[@catluvr2]

I thought the endless hallway was a one-way mirror.

[@AmusementLabs]

I thought so too, but I guess not.

[@StevenSokulski]

If you're talking about a silvered mirror (commonly called a two-way mirror) that really only lets you create effects behind the glass, not in front of it. For examples he hitchhiking ghosts can be seen behind the two-way mirror because they are illuminated more brightly than the guests in the Doombuggies.

[@carsonfran]

Bravo.

[@dvmbfvck11]

if you could, please do a how it works of men in black: alien attack in universal orlando!

[@codewon9274]

i always thought the ceiling moved up in the gallery room, not we move down!

[@bunniesbunniesbunnie]

ugh I can't be there because people are irresponsible. but I can have this. you're very good and I love you.

[@owenmep7429]

I feel you. Truthfully if everyone stopped being so dumb and stopped going out when it first spread, this wouldn't of happened. Actually if the government contained the people that had it longer this wouldn't of happened. But y'know. They're stupid.

[@taffysaur]

I don’t see what’s SO special about California that makes it so they can’t just open like Orlando?

[@bunniesbunniesbunnie]

@@taffysaur no one should be open when over 100000 new cases are showing up daily.

[@puertopablo724]

Maybe first people need a responsible and smart government BUT THEN THE PARKS NEVER OPEN AGAIN😁

[@Matterhorny]

You mean the entire ride isn’t in that house?😱

[@uwillnevahno6837]

4:35 I worked there many moons ago. I did a bit of exploring of The Mansion and sadly never figured out how to enter the ballroom.

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

7:30 Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Don't go away!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Encore, encore, encore! Please don't make us wait three months.

[@AmusementLabs]

It's only a few. I have to make sure I focus on my my course work for finals.

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

@@AmusementLabs I understand, I really do, but as a fan of the channel, you have made me greedy for great content. Best of luck in your studies.

[@ojll3917]

@@AmusementLabs hopefully 2021 will be a better year for everyone.

[@chaplaincadet]

I would love to know more about the earthquake and the old ET ride both at universal studios Hollywood.

[@badideabearcub2747]

E.T. was a straightforward ride. The only surprise was that E.T. called you by your name at the end. It was like "It's a small world", with extraterrestrials.

[@rickpontificates3406]

In 1966, Walt Disney was no longer in his corruptible mortal state as of December. The imagineers were still mortal, but not Walt.

[@AmusementLabs]

He helped provide the spooks. 👻

[@MichaelKantormusic]

Dumb question. If the elevator room goes down. Since covid you walk through. So now I am confused. If you needed to desend then how do you walk though now

[@SquishyMon]

Only the original Disneyland version is an elevator, with the stretching rooms in the other parks it is only the ceiling that raises up while you stay on the same level.

[@MichaelKantormusic]

@@SquishyMon ah ok. I thought you had to go under the tracks at Disney Orlando also. Got it ! Thanks

[@Stopfollowingmeplz8]

Nice

[@insidebillyshead]

I wish you would have gone more in depth on these effects.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Now _I_ will raise the safety bar, and a ghost will follow you home! *evil laugh intensifies*

[@AmusementLabs]

Ah yes, I was tempted to put that in there...

[@stevenangel8235]

Do you have Tower or Terror on the horizon?

[@FrankyChaira]

I enjoyed your videos💕 , but there are parts where the audio only plays on the RIGHT CHANNEL on your videos. I’d keep the audio centered so it better pleases all your audience and not just people wearing headphones 🎧

[@Kristiansolis15]

Can you do how Dragster works?